Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Football transfer rumours: Liverpool to land Joleon Lescott?

Today's rumours are a man down

Joleon Lescott: Anfield-bound? Photograph: Georgi Licovski/EPA

L'Arry Redknapp, anyone? That's how we may soon have to refer to the man who is not being used to bash Roy Hodgson so much these days ever since Hodgson won sceptics over by guiding England to two squeaky victories at Euro 2012 before they were comprehensively outplayed by the first decent team they came up against, as usual. While all that was happening, it may have escaped your attention that Tottenham jilted their erstwhile manager, who quickly declared his ambition to return to gaffership at the first suitable opportunity. Would an opportunity that could entail speaking a language other than Engerlish and ingratiating himself with a whole new pack of press 'ounds be considered suitable? Marseille hope so, as, according to decidedly dubious chatter in the ether, they are hoping to entice L'Arry to the south of France, a region where football is a passion and dogs have bank accounts.

Word is there is a vacancy at Marseille because Didier Deschamps has decided not to renew his contract. And in a pleasing piece of symmetry, Deschamps is expected to sidle into L'Arry's old chair at White Hart Lane. Deschamps is hardly known for the flair and adventure of his teams but Daniel Levy is believed to consider that but a small quibble compared to the size of his trophy collection.

Another Frenchman on the move could be Florent Malouda, who is considering doing what all of the France team who stunk out Euro 2012 should do: scarper to Brazil. He remains in touch with his old Lyon chum Juninho, who is said to be helping arrange a transfer to Vasco da Gama.

A player who had a much more impressive Euro than any Frenchman or England was the Croatia striker Mario Mandzukic, whose slick displays convinced Bayern Munich that he's the man for them: which means Manchester City are likely to be left lumbered with Eden Dzeko. Joleon Lescott may be on his way away from Manchester, however, as City are said to be mulling over letting him go to Liverpool, which would facilitate City's swoop for Daniel Agger. If that elaborate plot is thwarted, City will just go buy Fabricio Coloccini.

Roman Abramovich is still so high on Champions League glory that he may actually stump up the humungous fee that Atlético Madrid are demanding for relentless striker Radamel Falcao. Although he may raise a smattering of the amount by flogging Raul Meireles to Napoli.

Sunderland are plotting a move for the flip side of Kevin Doyle, aka Steven Fletcher, the not particularly mobile or dynamic striker who actually scores goals.

Birmingham City are on the verge of hiring Lee Clark.

And Chelsea fans will be aware that one of the hallmarks of havingDidier Drogba's tenure at a club is constant rumblings of discontent and word reaches the Mill that the Ivorian could be ready to turn his back on Shanghai Shenhua. Reportedly there is a clause in his contract allowing him to talk to Barcelona should the Catalans come calling, although sources close to the Mill – HP, etc – suggest this to be rather dubious chat.